Psalm 22

Chapter 14

THERE ARE HEAVY footsteps outside my door. Trying not to make a sound, I walked to the door and listened closely to what’s happening. The footsteps were followed by the irritating voices of my roommates. 

“Ugh, they’re back,” I whispered to myself. 

I find myself dreading their presence because life with my two roommates is not life at all. I would always be the designated ‘everything’. The cook, the dishwasher, the cleaner, name it. No sense in repeating myself if they are not willing to listen to reason. 

We weren’t always like this. We were friends first. And that is why you don’t take your friends to be your roommates. Sure, it’s case to case basis. But I lucked out. 

I wouldn’t say they were my best friends. Far from that. But still, we had good times and now I’m just reminded of those days that we would all be having fun instead of me finding escape in my small room with one window. 

I could hear the whispers of the two girls behind my back. Calling me a slave to my work. Thanks to them I wouldn’t notice my disfigured back if they didn’t call me the girl with the lazy position. Drooped shoulders, hunched back, face inches away from the screen.

I sighed. I walked carefully near the door and listened to their conversation.

“You think she’s okay? Should we knock?” I heard Erica say.

“Francess is always avoiding us,” replied Rosalie. “I hate to admit it but I miss the girl.”

“You knock,” Erica insisted.

Silence after that. Shuffled footsteps reduced in volume until there was total silence again.

I sighed. 

I could use a company right now. I’ve been in this house for three days since the last stint at the Mackenzie’s Studio. 

According to CJ and Henrich, their investigation was short of helpful. All they knew was there were three incidents with three different guys observing callously and breaking and entering. 

Just to be safe, we were advised not to go out, or if we did, not to take too much time outside. We don’t know why this is happening. We just know that the project might hit too close for comfort for some people that they want us to know that they are watching.

Frankly, we want people to know that we do mind their actions. We wouldn’t be here if not for the fact that issues are restless, mindless herds of sheep will follow blindly to their elected officials, multiple deaths of unknown people that need digging, and so many pressing matters at hand.

I had the unfortunate experience of watching the guy snooping and sneaking around. I wouldn’t recognize his face. He looked like he could blend in a crown. Plus, him wearing a baseball cap doesn’t help. 

His shadowed features didn’t make an impact. But I recognized a healed cleft lip. That was all I could tell the group.  I was so frustrated trying to remember what else I saw. But that was it.

The long and cold stare from the guy was frightening. I saw the whites of his eyes, yes. I wish I could get a hold of what his nose looked like. Did he have hooded eyes? Monolids? Was it black, shiny, impenetrable?

Fu/ck me because all I saw was an ordinary looking guy. Normal clothing, but certainly alerting behavior.

The sudden noise of somebody knocking on my door sent bolts throughout my entire body and it made me jump.

I cussed under my breath. 

“What is it?” I shouted.

“Hey,” called Erica from the other side. “Are you okay?”

I pressed the sides of my forehead. I slowly moved away from my chair and tried to cheer myself up before opening the door. I know my eyes are sunken into their sockets. I haven’t had a decent sleep since three days ago. Looking like s**t has always been my go-to look but just this once I don’t want them to worry about me.

I cautiously opened the door and left an inch for me to see Erica outside my room. She poked her face into my room and tried to push herself. I held the door with control. Knowing Erica, she would barge inside if I don’t guard the goddamn passage inside my ‘safe space’.

Erica and her goggled-eyes stared at me. “Have you been skipping meals?” She keeps checking the state of my room.

I shook my head. “Don’t worry about me.”

“But are you skipping meals?” 

“No. You’re always out. How would you know,” I stated.

Erica seemed unfazed. “Okay. I just wanna check on you. You haven’t cooked. Haven’t washed your clothes. What’s up?”

What she said made me smile. “Thank you, Erica. But I am okay.”

“Can I bet on that?”

“Huh?”

“That you’re okay?”

I nodded.

Erica looked reluctant for a second before opening her mouth. “Can I ask you something?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Go. Shoot.”

“Everything okay at work? I heard from the news that Mackenzie’s Studios was closed temporarily due to security issues.”

I found myself resting my entire back at the door pane. “I wish I could tell you more about it but you already know what I know.”

She looked worried, and it had me worried for a second. Someone is really concerned about me. Who do I think I am? The queen of England?

I tap her tensed shoulder. “That’s why I don’t go out that much. I am scared.”

“Oh.”

I caught the shadow of Rosalie peeking from her room. “Hey,” I called out.

Rosalie warily and awkwardly showed herself to us. “It’s all over the news, Francess.”

“I know. I can’t tell you anything else. Someone wants and thinks they need to silence us.”

“Aren’t you afraid?” asked Rosalie. Her lips quivered as she moved closely to us.

“Are you scared for your life because I’m here?” I asked as I tried to reach Rosalie.

She grudgingly nodded her head. 

My hand froze in the air and died as it hit my leg. “I can go up in the mountains…” I whispered.

“You can’t be alone! That’s stupid!” Erica reasoned. She was eyeing the both of us.

Rosalie dipped her head in agreement. “That’s right. I’m not telling you to isolate yourself. I’m just letting you know that I fear for your safety. Mine and Erica’s, too.”

“Ladies,” I called them. “We’re all fearing for our safety since we hit the prepubescent stage.”

“Okay, okay,” Rosalie stopped me before I spew bullshit. “Don’t start me with your political opinions and social awareness. I want you to be safe, okay?”

“If you need anything, we can buy it for you,” Erica volunteered.

I grinned. “Did Rose agree to that also?” I looked at Rosalie. “You hate running errands.”

Rosalie’s face cracked into a smile. “Let’s put it on a record that Erica suggested it.”

We all laughed.

“Nah, dawg, I gotchu.” Rosalie went in for a hug. 

Erica followed suit.